As we were driving on the bridge above the bayous approaching Mobile, Alabama I started to imagine that I was living the opening scenes of a John Grisham novel. Filmed from above, of course, and then down to street level as the heroine of the movie smartly parks their car on the street alongside Cathedral Square. The strains of a solo saxophone drift through the air as she walks a block to the restaurant and takes a seat at the table by the sidewalk. Extras saunter by (nobody hurries in Mobile). You hear snippets of conversation – one man drawling Is good – I’m not worried. The camera pans to the wrought iron second story balconies festooned with the remnant decorations from Mardi Gras. Just then…….

Daydreaming ends and you just sit and enjoy the company of your sweetie and a beautiful 70 degree day in Mobile.

When approaching our destination of Ocean Springs, MS we decided to get off the Interstate and opt for the suggested scenic route. The scenic route was miles of endless fast food restaurants and chain stores. Finally the road was lined with just pines AND billboards. I guess Scenic Route in Mississippi means billboards only on one-side of the road. [Editor's note: Spoken like a true Yankee]

Observed at a gas station snack shop along Interstate 10 in Alabama:

A t-shirt emblazoned with the words

American by birth – Christian by the Grace of God.

So much for me, Marsha Baker.

Ocean Springs, MS is along the Gulf coast just east of Biloxi. This area was hit hard by Katrina and then the BP oil spill. Things are just getting back to normal. We are here because two eccentric artists called this place home. George Ohr who was sometimes known as the mad potter of Biloxi and Walter Anderson, painter, print maker and potter.

This afternoon we visited Shearwater Pottery started by Walter Anderson's brother Peter and now run by his descendants. The pieces done by Walter that they had on display in their museum room were quite good. Unfortunately, we didn't think the talent and artistry had made it to the current generation. The area around the Pottery was, however, lovely with picturesque inlets and shrimp boats at their docks.